News Agency of Nigeria
Judiciary

Court dissolves 3-month-old marriage, orders return of dowry

By Aisha Gambo
A Sharia Court in Magajin Gari, Kaduna on Tuesday dissolved the union between Muhammad Abdulganiyu and Ma’arufat Ibrahim.
Delivering a ruling, the Judge, Malam Rilwan Kyaudai, said the marriage was dissolved after all efforts to reconcile the couple by the court and their guardians failed.
He ordered Ibrahim to return N20,000 paid as dowry.
“She will also return the marriage suitcases she received and contents with the exception of the ones she has also sown.
”She will not  return the cell phone as requested by the complainant but she will return the silver rings she received from him,” he held.
Earlier, Abdulganiyu in his petition alleged that his wife left their matrimonial home without any altercation.
“I tried my best to provide for her, but she and her mother do not appreciate my efforts and we’ve been married barely three months.
”If she’s not interested in the marriage anymore, she should pay me all I spent during the wedding and return the phone and silver rings I gave her”, he said.
On her part, the defendant said she left because her husband does not provide food for her.
She said that he had told her that his mother pushed him into marrying her.(NAN)
edited by Sadiya Hamza
Foreign

Egypt gets back looted ancient ‘Green Coffin’ from U.S. museum

The Houston Museum of Natural Science in the U.S. has handed over a looted ancient Egyptian sarcophagus, widely known as the “Green Coffin”, to its home country, Egypt.

The wooden sarcophagus dates back to the late Dynastic Period (from 664BC to 332BC)

The sarcophagus was returned by U.S. diplomats during a Sunday ceremony attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister,  Sameh Shoukry and the North African country’s Tourism and Antiquities Minister, Ahmed Issa.

The Green Coffin, which is about 2.9 metres long, was said to belong to an ancient priest named Ankhenmaat.

In September 2022, Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg said that the sarcophagus was illegally looted from Egypt by a multinational network of antiquities smugglers, who trafficked it into the U.S. through Germany in 2008.

He said a collector later loaned the coffin, which was originally looted from the Abu Sir necropolis in north Egypt, to the Houston Museum of Natural Science in 2013.

Egypt’s MFA Spokesman, Ahmed Abu Zeid said in a statement “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted today the ceremony of handing over the ‘Green Coffin’ to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities after it was recovered from the U.S.

“Sincere thanks to the American authorities for their cooperation in preserving the cultural and civilizational heritage of humanity.”

The ministry highlighted that Egypt was one of the first countries to ratify The Hague Convention and the UNESCO Convention of 1970 that prohibits and prevent the illicit trafficking of cultural property.

They pointed out that Egypt was keen on the existence of bilateral agreements with other countries to protect cultural heritage and antiquities.

They said the agreements contributes to the procedures for recovering antiquities with many countries.

However, Antiquities Minister Issa said, “the return of the sarcophagus showed Egypt’s strenuous efforts to recover smuggled artifacts.”

At the handing over ceremony in Cairo, a U.S. diplomat described the return of the Egyptian sarcophagus as being “emblematic” of a long history of co-operation between Washington and Cairo on “antiquities protection and cultural heritage preservation.”

Issa noted that Egypt has succeeded in recovering 29,300 artifacts from several foreign and Arab countries in recent years, including from New Zealand, the U.S., France and Israel.

In 2020, the U.S. repatriated the “Gold Coffin”, while in 2019, the Stele of Pa-di-Sena, which is from the Late Dynastic Period, was handed over by Washington to the African country.

In 2021, Israel has returned to Egypt more than 95 artifacts that were either smuggled into the country or were displayed for sale in Jerusalem. (Sputnik/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

HLM/JPE

=========

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed/Joseph Edeh

Features

2023: Anti-graft agencies, INEC and efforts to curb vote-buying

By Philomina Attah

Vote-buying has remained a major part of the problems of election management in Nigeria. Twenty four years since the return of democracy in the country, it has remained an obstacle to free, fair and credible elections in the country.

The issue has attracted various responses from stakeholders who mostly view it as one of the cankerworms that constitutes brazen assault on Nigeria’s democracy.

As Nigeria prepares for the 2023 general elections, the problem of vote-buying is being tackled by various stakeholders, including anti-graft agencies with a view to permanently bury the problem.

Already the Nigerian government has criminalises vote-buying and selling, thus making it easier for security agencies and the courts to deal with culprits.

One of the major stakeholders, the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa described vote-buying as continuous exploitation of large section of the society by politicians.

“Like the proverbial child who traded his future in order to satisfy his immediate, we have consistently witnessed the continuous exploitation of a large section of the society by politicians.

“The vulnerable have continued to remain oblivious of the consequence of vote-buying and selling.

“They fail to realise that when they sell their votes, they also give up their rights to demand for transparency and accountability from elected leaders.

“They sell their future and that of their unborn children for an insignificant and greatly undervalued sum,” he said.

Analysts listed some consequences of vote buying to include loss of integrity of the elections and elected officials, recruitment of bad leaders, promoting poverty and mortgaging the rights of the electorates to demand accountability.

In spite of these consequences, Nigerians have continued to engage in illegal trading of votes.

According to the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari, survey-based evidence shows that one in five Nigerians are exposed to vote peddling while almost four in 10 Nigerians are exposed to electoral violence.

To effectively tackle the menace of vote buying, Sections 121 and 122 of the Electoral Act 2022 has made it a criminal offence in the country.

Section 121 (1) of the Act stipulates that: “any person who directly or indirectly, induced any other person to vote or refrain from voting commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for a term of 12 months or both.

“Section 121 (2) stipulates that: “a voter commits an offence of bribery where, before, or during an election, directly or indirectly, by himself or herself, or by any other person, on his or her behalf receives, agrees, or contracts for any money, gift, loan, or valuable consideration, office, place of employment, for his or herself, or any other person, for voting or agreeing to vote, or for refraining or agreeing to refrain from voting at any such election.’’

A recent research by Good Governance Awareness Initiative (GGAI), and NGO, identified poverty, threats by political parties, lack of proactive measures by security agencies and lack of interest in the electoral process as some of the factors encouraging vote-buying.

The Executive Director of GGAI, Ms Maureen Onwukwe said that over the years, elections in Nigeria had been marred by ballot stuffing and snatching, as well as violence.

Onwukwe, however, said that with the technological innovations introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Electoral Act 2022, it will now be extremely difficult for political parties to rig elections in Nigeria.

“That is why politicians now devise vote-buying as another means to manipulate the supposed decision of electorate.

“This presents a fresh danger to the integrity and reliability of elections in Nigeria,” she said.

Already, INEC has taken measures to tackle the trend and ensure the sanctity of the electoral process.

Among the measures taken by INEC was going into partnership with EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to arrest and prosecute vote sellers and buyers.

According to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, INEC has also re-configured all polling units to bring the ballot boxes closer to voting cubicles and banned the use of mobile phones and photographic devices by voters while in the voting cubicles.

“We have also intensified our collaboration with the EFCC and ICPC to deal with both the buyers and the takers under the law,” he said.

He added that in an effort to curb the menace, the membership of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security was expanded to include the two anti-corruption agencies.

“The two agencies have been deploying their operatives during elections and this effort is paying off.

“For instance, following arrests made during the recent Osun Governorship election held on July 16, the EFCC made arrests and after investigation found evidence to charge the suspects to court in Osogbo.

“We are right now working with the EFCC to ensure their prosecution. I wish to commend the EFCC for this initiative and assure them of our support at all times,” Yakubu said.

Speaking at a one-day stakeholders summit on “Addressing the Influence of Money on the 2023 General Election’’ last December, Yakubu assured that INEC would not relent in its determination to prevent vote-buying during the 2023 general election.

He however called for concerted actions by citizens to reject inducements to sway their votes through vote-buying and report such cases to INEC and other agencies.

“Financial institutions, religious organisations, traditional institutions, the media, civic bodies and citizens must also join in this fight,” Yakubu said.

Also speaking at the summit, Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, said vote buying has the tendency to scuttle good governance.

According to Owasanoye, a government that is purchased will have no obligation to the people.

“A faulty and corrupt electoral process emboldens incompetent and corrupt government. They do not have to care about our feelings and our complaints.

“In such situation, impunity will reign and corruption will thrive” the ICPC chairman added.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Baba, said the police had devised strategies to arrest and prosecute politicians moving on election days with tonnes of cash to buy votes.

Baba said concerted efforts were being made by the police, as the lead agency in election security management, to ensure that the use of money was not allowed to influence the 2023 general elections.

“We will ensure that at least, this menace is brought to the barest minimum; we will achieve this in synergy with sister security agencies, anti-graft and intelligence agencies and other stakeholders”, he said.

According to Baba, a lot of arrests have been made of persons buying voter registration cards to rig the 2023 elections and some political thugs.

“We will also ensure that the Police X-Squad, intelligence officers and investigators are moved to the field to ensure that politicians moving on election days to buy votes are apprehended and dealt with according to the provisions of the law,” he added.

The IGP emphasised that with the measures being taken by stakeholders, the use of money during the 2023 elections will be greatly curtailed.

“We will do all we can within the confines of the law to bring the offenders to book.

“Some politicians spend huge sums of money to get elected to office, thus their priority is to recoup the money they spent during the election.

“The consequence of this is that, those elected provide poor governance and deny the public the benefit of good governance, as they most likely are not the best candidates.

“When elections are influenced by money, credibility of the process is questioned. This leads to rancour and the possibility of violence after the elections.” Baba said.

Beyond the arrest and prosecution of the offenders, the anti-graft agencies have also intensified efforts on awareness campaign on the need for Nigerians to shun vote trading.

To facilitate this, the EFCC has entered into partnership with the Committee of Youth on Mobilisation and Sensitisation to undertake grassroots campaigns against vote-buying, cybercrimes and other forms of corruption.

The ICPC has also gone beyond arrest to preventive measures to end vote-buying in Nigeria.

Experts believe that these measures will help to greatly stop vote-buying, ensure free and credible election and the emergence of credible leaders committed to meeting the dreams of a greater Nigeria. (NAN Features)

**If used, credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Entertainment

Nigerians speak on nudity in fashion

By Mateen Badru/Humi-l-Islam Abubakar

Mixed reactions have continued to trail how nudity is becoming a fashion trend as Nigerians differ on their perspective of what fashion truly portends.

A cross-section of Nigerians who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos, expressed their views on the consequences and the misconceptions of nudity.

Mrs Florence Okenwa, a florist, condemned the idea of bringing nudity into fashion saying that unnecessary exposure of the body could be interpreted as a person being irresponsible.

“I don’t support nudity or the exposure of our precious bodies in the name of fashion. There is an adage that says that one should dress in the way he or she wants to be addressed. Ladies exposing their bodies is an invitation or temptation to the opposite sex.

“I believe strongly that indecent dressing can devalue a woman because it exposes her treasure. To the males, it gives them this image of irresponsibility. I see it as indecent, when people in the name of fashion open sensitive parts of their bodies,” she said.

Mr Fayemi, a designer, however, said that nudity is mixed with fashion all over the world and that it usually depends on what the designer is promoting or showcasing.

“All over the world, nudity is mixed with fashion. However, it depends on what the designer is trying to promote.

“If you’re promoting lingerie for example, then you have models who wear them and the rest of the public would see it as nudity.

“The designer is trying to promote the lingerie not the models. So you have to be able to figure out what is being promoted because nudity and models is part of fashion,”  he said.

A lawyer, Mr Solomon Adekunle, said that indecent dressing was once uncommon in Africa but now becoming a trend leading to increase in the rate of immorality in the society.

Adekunle said mass media as an agent of socialisation should also promote good moral values, adding that display of indecently dressed people on television through advertisement, films and music videos should be discouraged.

“This act is common among students in the higher institutions. They dress in all kinds of manner, all with the aim of looking sexy and attractive instead of dressing in a responsible way.

“In order to eliminate indecent dressing, strict enforcement of dress codes should be introduced in higher institutions across the country.

“Also, to complement such efforts, parents must teach their children how to dress decently.

“Religious leaders should also preach against such act. Students should be educated on the consequences of dressing indecently,” he said.

Mr Jude Oni-Okpaku, the Managing Director of Quintessence, however said that nudity and fashion should not be mixed up as fashion is strictly about expressing oneself.

“As you rightly said, these are two different things that should not be confused or mixed up. Fashion is about expressing oneself  through clothing and appearance, nudity is a naked state that has nothing to do with fashion,” he said.

According to Miss Funmilayo Simeon, an entrepreneur, she sometimes wonder why people expose their body all in the name of fashion but later discovered  that it can be as a result of what they see in the media or poor parenting.

“It could also be as a result of poor moral upbringing or peer pressure. They can be lured into prostitution with this and also be influenced to join a cult group.

“Also, a lady who dresses indecently may be seen as a prostitute in this part of Africa, I  keep wondering how they feel comfortable in those clothes all in the name of fashion,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Folasade Adeniran

General News

COVID-19: NCDC says travel restrictions not affecting public health

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease and Prevention Control (NCDC), has said that recent experiences in the country with the arrival of the COVID-19 omicron variants showed that travel restrictions did not have any public health benefits but were disruptive for persons and businesses.

Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, Director-General, NCDC, said this on his official Twitter handle while addressing Nigerians who raised concern over the rising COVID-19 cases in China, the UK, U.S.A and other countries.

He said that COVID-19 has and continues to follow a different course (epidemiology) in Nigeria and most of African nations.

“Other omicron progeny that was associated with increases in cases, admissions and deaths elsewhere did not cause the same in Nigeria as confirmed by our genomics surveillance.

“Our population is significantly protected from a combination of natural infection and vaccination,” he explained.

Adetifa said that the COVID-19 Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) met on Dec. 31, 2022, noting that going forward, they would continue to review the ongoing COVID-19 situation over the coming week.

“At the next review and if deemed necessary, a range of actions, not limited to enhanced surveillance of travellers at airports, may be implemented,” he said.

The NCDC boss said that the agency follows global COVID-19 epidemiology, including genomics data, as part of the ongoing pandemic response.

Adetifa said that the NCDC COVID-19 EOC continues to function at level two alertness – including weekly risk assessments to inform the need for action.

“Our COVID-19 EOC is tracking COVID-19 trends in China, the US, UK, South Africa, India and other destinations with high volume traffic to and from Nigeria,” he said.

The NCDC boss said that the COVID-19 resurgence in China was not surprising, given their recent transition from a zero COVID-19 strategy.

He said that this was against a backdrop of a population that neither has high levels of natural immunity nor high levels of coverage with vaccines with the greatest impact against severe disease, hospitalisation, and death.

“Cases, admissions and deaths in England and the US have increased significantly.

Government agency data show 28.8 per cent, 36.3 per cent and 1.6 per cent increases in cases, admissions and deaths as of Dec. 22, 2022, compared to the previous period.

“The Centre for Disease Control reports 57.0 per cent, 23.2 per cent and 66.0 per cent increases in cases, admissions and deaths as of Dec. 22, 2022, compared to Nov. 20, 2022.

“The National Department of Health in South Africa data shows fewer admissions in Dec 2023 vs Nov 2022 (as of 21/12/22),” he explained.

Adetifa said that before the current uptick in cases seen in China, the US, the UK and elsewhere, genomic surveillance continued to show the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant and its lineage continued to predominate in infections worldwide.

According to him, in Nigeria, the NCDC continues with genomic surveillance. The omicron variant was first detected in Dec. 2021 and has since become the dominant strain.

He said that BQ.1/BQ.1.1 and related sublineages were first seen in Nigeria in July 2022 and BQ.1 became dominant in Aug 2022.

“BQ.1.1 took over in Sept 2022 and persisted since then. None of these was associated with any increases in case numbers, admissions or deaths. We have not detected BF.7 or XBB.1.5 in the country yet (sequencing updates for Dec. 2022 are in progress),” he said.

He said that the Nigerian COVID-19 response continues to be executed via four pillars – continued surveillance, genomics surveillance, capacity for surge testing and vaccination.

He said that regardless of SARS-CoV-2 variants in different parts of the world, there continues to be an excess of cases of severe disease, admissions and deaths among the under or unvaccinated and those with established risk factors – old age, cardiovascular and endocrine co-morbidity, immune suppressive states (disease and/or treatments), and so on.

“We advise Nigerians to make use of every opportunity the Federal Government has provided via the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to get vaccinated, that is receive your primary vaccination which can be two or a single vaccine dose. If you have received two vaccine doses already, go get your booster.

“If you have received one booster dose already, please go get your second booster dose. If you belong to any of the high-risk categories, including old age, kindly ensure you adhere to recommended public health safety measures – mask use, hand hygiene and avoiding crowded spaces,” he advised.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that China is experiencing a nationwide outbreak of the coronavirus after abruptly easing restrictions that were in place for much of the pandemic.

Other countries, including the US, UK, India, Japan and several European nations have announced tougher measures on travellers from China amid concerns over a lack of data on infections in China and fears of the possibility that new variants may emerge.

Edited by Vincent Obi

General News

Flowerbudnews urges NAFDAC boss to redouble efforts

By Aderogba George
The Management and Editorial Board of Flowerbudnews have felicitated Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye on her re-appointment as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

A statement by the Publisher of the news outlet, Alhaji Biola Lawal in Abuja on Tuesday stated that the re-appointment of Adeyeye was a well-deserved gesture.

The statement reported flowerbudnews management as urging the NAFDAC D-G to redouble efforts to surpass her first term tenure in office.

According to the statement, the re-appointment is a great testimony to the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to bestow a legacy of excellence in service delivery to the country.

It stated that the re-appointment showed the President’s faithful appreciation of excellence and dedicated performance by his political appointees.

The statement disclosed that the appointment would definitely encourage more Nigerians to work hard for the country and would strengthen dedicated political office holders to give their best in nation-building.

It said the re-appointment would bring the best for the country, not minding intrigues and run-him-down syndrome often displayed by some unpatriotic Nigerians.

“Your incredible achievements in the past five years raised hope of a bright future for our country.

“It signals that with dedication, love for Nigeria and unyielding resolve to do it right, our country can, and will be great, through indelible examples of achievements and performance like you have set in NAFDAC in the past five years.

“As Media Professionals, we noted your all-round achievements to include the return of NAFDAC operatives to the nation’s ports of entry after years of absence, an absence which was logically heavily detrimental to public health.

“Your moving Nigeria high up in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) ranking, earning the nation the enviable status of a vaccine production capable nation and others have been remarkable.

“We urge you to redouble your efforts in strengthening NAFDAC’s ability, capacity and resolve to protect the health of Nigerians.

“We wish you a successful and remarkable second tenure. May God continue to be with you ma,” the statement said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Economy/Business

Buhari signs N21.83trn 2023 budget into law

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja signed the 2023 Budget of N21.83 trillion and the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Bill into law.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2023 budget is the last to be prepared by the present administration as it winds up.

While signing the budget, the president said the aggregate expenditures of N21.83 trillion were increased by N1.32 trillion over the initial proposal of N20.51 trillion expenditures by the executive.

On the supplementary appropriation bill, the president said that the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act would enable the administration to respond to the havoc caused by the recent nationwide floods on infrastructure and agriculture sectors.

According to him, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning will subsequently provide more details of the approved budget and the supporting 2022 Finance Act.

“We have examined the changes made by the National Assembly to the 2023 Executive Budget proposal.

“The amended fiscal framework for 2023 as approved by the National Assembly shows additional revenues of N765.79 billion, and an unfunded deficit of N553.46 billion.

“It is clear that the National Assembly and the executive need to capture some of the proposed additional revenue sources in the fiscal framework. This must be rectified.

“I have also noted that the National Assembly introduced new projects into the 2023 budget proposal for which it has appropriated N770.72 billion.

“The National Assembly also increased the provisions made by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by N58.55 billion.’’

Buhari said his decision to sign the 2023 Appropriation Bill into law as passed by the National Assembly was to enable its implementation commence without delay, considering the imminent transition process to another democratically elected government.

He, however, directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to engage with the Legislature to revisit some of the changes made to the Executive budget proposal.

Buhari expressed the hope that the National Assembly would cooperate with the Executive arm of Government in this regard.

The president urged the National Assembly to reconsider its position on his proposal to securitise the Federal Government’s outstanding Ways and Means balance at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“As I stated, the balance has accumulated over several years and represents funding provided by the CBN as lender of last resort to the government.

“To enable it meet obligations to lenders, as well as cover budgetary shortfalls in projected revenues and or borrowings.

“I have no intention to fetter the right of the National Assembly to interrogate the composition of this balance, which can still be done even after granting the requested approval.

“Failure to grant the securitisation approval will, however, cost the government about N1.8 trillion in additional interest in 2023, given the differential between the applicable interest rates which is currently MPR plus three per cent and the negotiated interest rate of nine per cent and a 40-year repayment period on the securitised debt of the Ways and Means.’’

To ensure more effective implementation of the 2022 capital Budget, Buhari thanked the National Assembly for approving his request for an extension of its validity date to March 31.

The president directed the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to work toward early release of the 2023 capital votes to enable MDAs commence the implementation of their capital projects in good time.

According to him, this is to support efforts to deliver key projects and public services as well as improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

He reiterated that the 2023 Budget was developed to promote fiscal sustainability, macroeconomic stability and ensure smooth transition to the incoming administration.

The president added that it was also designed to promote social inclusion and strengthen the resilience of the economy.

He said that adequate provisions had been made in the Budget for the successful conduct of the forthcoming general elections and the transition programme.

On achieving revenue targets for the budget, the president directed MDAs and Government Owned Enterprises (GOEs) to intensify their revenue mobilisation efforts, including ensuring that all taxable organisations and individuals pay taxes due.

The president said relevant Agencies must sustain current efforts toward the realisation of crude oil production and export targets to achieve the laudable objectives of the 2023 Budget.

“To augment available fiscal resources, MDAs are to accelerate the implementation of Public Private Partnership initiatives, especially those designed to fast-track the pace of our infrastructural development.

“This, being a deficit budget, the associated Borrowing Plan will be forwarded to the National Assembly shortly.

“I count on the cooperation of the National Assembly for a speedy consideration and approval of the Plan,’’ he said.

On the Finance Bill 2022, the president expressed regret that its review as passed by the National Assembly had yet to be finalised.

“This is because some of the changes made by the National Assembly need to be reviewed by the relevant agencies of government. I urge that this should be done speedily to enable me to assent it into law,’’ he said.

Those who witnessed the signing of the budget include Senate President Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The president thanked the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and all the leaders and members of the National Assembly for the expeditious consideration and passage of the Appropriation Bill.

He also recognised the roles played by the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Budget Office of the Federation and the Senior Special Assistants to the President (Senate and House of Representatives).

Buhari also lauded Office of the Chief of Staff, as well as all who worked tirelessly and sacrificed so much toward producing the 2023 Appropriation Act.

“As I mentioned during the presentation of the 2023 Appropriation Bill, early passage of the budget proposal is critical to ensure effective delivery of our legacy projects, a smooth transition programme and effective take-off of the incoming administration.

“I appreciate the firm commitment of the 9th National Assembly to the restoration of a predictable January to December fiscal year.

“I also appreciated the mutual understanding, collaboration and engagements between officials of the Executive and the Legislative arms of government.

“These have made the quick consideration and passage of our Fiscal bills possible over the last four years.’’

The pesident expressed the belief that the next administration would sustain the early presentation of the annual appropriation bill to the National Assembly to ensure its passage before the beginning of the fiscal year.

“I firmly believe the next administration will also sustain the current public financial management reform efforts, further improve the budgeting process, and particularly maintain the tradition of supporting its Appropriation Bills with Finance Bills designed to facilitate their implementation.

“To sustain and institutionalise the gains of the reforms, we must expedite action and conclude work on the Organic Budget Law for it to become operational before the end of this administration.’’

According to him, these are challenging times worldwide.

The president expressed deep appreciation to almighty God for His Grace, while commending the continuing resilience, understanding and sacrifice of Nigerians in the face of current economic challenges.

”As this Administration draws to a close, we will accelerate the implementation of critical measures aimed at further improving the Nigerian business environment, enhancing the welfare of our people and ensuring sustainable economic growth over medium to long term.’’ (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

General News

Kangiwa emerges President of Nigeria Polo Federation

 

By Taiye Olayemi
Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, Director-General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), has emerged the President of the Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF).
Kangiwa, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said this was announced after the statutory biennial election of executive members of NPF held in Jos.
” I am pleased, honored and humbled for the confidence and trust bestowed on me to serve as President of Nigeria Polo Federation, to pilot the affairs for the next two years.
” I accept this important role; this is a responsibility that I do not take lightly, and I will endeavour to represent NPF’s best interest.
” Let me seize this opportunity to congratulate the immediate past President, Francis Ogboro and his board for a very successful year.
” No doubt they have performed creditable well, I look forward to utilising their offer of support; in the same vein, I would also like to congratulate each of the new federation members.
” With your help and support, I will do my best to meet the challenges facing our Federation,” he said.
Kangiwa who was the second vice-President of the Polo Federation, solicited for the support to expand the frontiers of Nigerian polo.
He pledged to re-double his efforts in promoting Nigerian polo within the continent and internationally.
He also promised to continue to go the extra mile in building the federation, and carry out many worthwhile projects.
” It is my intention also to commission a 5-year Strategic Plan for the federation, This I think will provide guidance for me and future Federation presidents in terms of setting and achieving our goals.
” I have a lot to learn, and I will look forward to hearing both your concerns and your aspirations for the Federation,” he said.
NPF is one of the apex groups of Polo stakeholders in the country that superintendent the game and is massively involved in the management of the sport, including international affiliations.
Kangiwa just completed his tenure as the 2nd Vice-President of the Polo Federation, a position he held for two consecutive terms.
Kangiwa is a prolific Polo player and the progenitor of the pathfinding NSK Polo Ranch and Resorts.
He is also the Patron of the famous Argungu Polo Tournament and Cultural Fete, the leading Polo tournament and Cultural Tourism event in North-West Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman
How one man’s effort is reducing commuters road traffic stress in FCT
General News

How one man’s effort is reducing commuters road traffic stress in FCT

 

How one man’s effort is reducing commuters road traffic stress in

UCHE ANUNNE

Every working day, Kate Gabriel a, civil servant and mother of 3 commutes from Masaka, on the outskirt of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to the Federal Secretariat located in the Central Business District Abuja.

To arrive at her office early, Gabriel must wake up at about 4.50 am to prepare for work. She must leave home before 5.30 am in order to beat the Mararraba-Nyanya-Kugbo-AYA traffic snail that the users of the road endure on daily basis.

 

As a housewife and working class woman, this is not an easy task but Gabriel has to endure it in order to avoid severe verbal reprimand from her boss or even a query.

 

This situation is not obtainable in Abuja alone. It is replicated in virtually every major city in Nigeria, although the difference is the severity of the traffic snarl.

 

In the case of Mararraba-Nyanya-Kugbo-AYA traffic jam, several hours are lost as commuters spend several hours, in some instances, more than three hours’ for a trip that otherwise would not last more than 30 minutes.

 

Though there are other human factors such as impatient drivers or accidents, more often than not, this traffic jam is caused by failed portions of the road, particularly, in the Masaka, Nyanya (building materials), and Mararaba, (Sharp Corner Bus stop) segments of the federal road.

 

According to Statista, a data bank, as at 2018, with 36 ,000 kilometres of road Federal Government has built crisscrossing the length and breadth of the nation, Nigeria has one of the largest road networks in Africa.

 

Nigeria’s estimated 200 million people bring heavy pressure on road infrastructure and humans and millions of tons of goods are transported via road.

 

This is compounded by the fact that the railway and aviation sub-sectors that ought to take off part of the pressure are not fully developed yet.

 

Maintaining this large road network poses a massive headache to government, and that led to the creation of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, (FERMA) as an agency of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

 

However, while FERMA says it is doing its best to fix the bad portions of federal roads, many Nigerians complain that its efforts is not good enough and has resulted in the frustrating situation many road users, such as Gabriel experience on a daily basis.

 

Mr Daniel Davoe on duty.

However, one man has chosen to make a difference by dedicating his time and resources toward patching up the failed portions of roads in Abuja in order to ameliorate the plight of commuters.

 

On a daily basis, except Sundays, Mr Daniel Davoe can be seen on different portion of this road. Armed with his shovel, Davoe goes to road reconstruction sites to load excavated tar, and stones which he transports to failed portions and use to repairs those segments to contribute his quota towards relieving the agony road users in Abuja go through.

 

He said in an interview that he is inspired by the desire to make changes and contribute his quota towards finding a solution the challenge faced by the road uses.

 

According to him, he can be an agent of change and a source of succor to the road users, no matter how temporary, pending the time a permanent solution would be provided by the government.

 

For his efforts he receives no payments excepts show of appreciation and joyful disposition of road users who are delighted by his efforts.

 

‘’I have been doing this charity work for more than 20 years now, and I don’t have any regrets.

 

“Rather, I am happy that I can put joy on the faces of fellow Nigerians when they move freely on the road unhindered by hold ups occasions by large gullies on the roads while we wait on the government to execute more holistic repairs.

 

“Sometimes I wake up as early as 4 am from my house at Jikwoyi along Kurudu Road, Abuja for the road that I have selected to work on.

 

“Sometimes I work in Mararaba, Masaka, Jikwoyi, Karu, Durunmi, Gwagwalada; depending on any road in FCT that requires my intervention.

 

“It is my prayer that other Nigerians will join me in this enterprise. I have appealed to them but no one seems to be interested in undertaking this assignment. Maybe it is because it is an unpaid and thankless job”, he said.

 

Davoe’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by some of the road users and they are grateful.

 

“The last time he repaid the Sharp Corner segment of the road, I was very happy because his effort reduced the time I spent on the road every morning by more than two hours”, say Mr Kenneth Okafor, a civil servant residing in Ado.

 

A similar view is shared by Ms Joy Bulus who runs an eatery at Area 1, as she is grateful to Davoe for complementing government’s efforts to ensure that Abuja residents move around with less difficulty.

 

“How I wish many of us will emulate him in providing answers to our collective problems.” she said.

 

Observers say though Davoe’s efforts seem to be a drop in the ocean, more could be achieved if a lot of Nigerians applied his pragmatic solution to some of our daily challenges as a nation.(NAN)

**If you used credit writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

***This article is with the support of Solutions Journalism Network and the Nigeria Health Watch.

General News

バルカンベガス オンラインカジノ日本

バルカンベガス オンラインカジノ日本語

バルカンベガス オンラインカジノ日本語

また、その他の方法でサポートを希望される場合は、フィードバックを残したら、お客様の担当者はいつでも手伝います。 賞金の大小にかかわらず、何の制限もなく引き出すことができます。 最後に、弊社は会員の皆様に最高のカジノ提供をしていますので、ご入金の前に必ずカジノプロモーションページをご覧ください。 ボーナスは、カジノスロットゲームやその他のオンラインゲームでご利用いただけます。 オンラインカジノハウスを訪れたいが、時間やお金の余裕がない場合でも、心配する必要はありません。

  • デスクトップPCと同じように、弊社のサービスを継続して利用することができます。
  • 安全なオンラインギャンブルでは、18 歳未満のプレイヤーはアカウントを作成できません。
  • 当社はキュラソー政府によって発行されたライセンスの下で運営されており、法的サービスを提供しています。
  • 会員の皆様には、常に新しいキャンペーンを実施しておりますので、ニュース欄をご覧になることをお勧めしま。

オンラインゲームのコレクションのほとんどは、専用のタッチスクリーンインターフェイスを備えた携帯デバイスでプレイできます。 当社のすべてのカジノゲームは、リアルマネーでプレイすることも、無料で試すこともできます。 新しいカジノサイトとして、弊社はすべての会員を大切にしており、お客様に会えることが幸いです。 そのためには、プロフェッショナルで迅速なカスタマーサービスが不可欠であると考え、いつでもご連絡いただけるようにしています。 当社のゲームおよびその他のサービスは、最新のブラウザで実行するように設計されています。

・バルカンベガスカジノ はリアルマネー ゲームのみを提供していますか?

Vulkanvegas Casinoのオンラインカジノゲームのカジノ ボーナスは、初心者から常連プレイヤーまで、下記のようなボーナスがあります。 はい、当社のモバイル カジノ アプリは iGaming ビジネスで最高のプラットフォームの 1 つになっております。 操作方法はとても簡単で、どのユーザーにとっても使いやすく設計されています。 このモバイルアプリは、Android ユーザーのみが利用できます。 そのため、お客様がすぐにゲームを始められるように有利なボーナスを提供し、最高品質のゲームをプレイできるように、シームレスなカスタマーサービスを提供しています。 むしろ、デモでどんどんプレイすることによって、ルールを再確認し、スキルをどんどん上達させることが可能です。

  • 最後に、弊社は会員の皆様に最高のカジノ提供をしていますので、ご入金の前に必ずカジノプロモーションページをご覧ください。
  • ゲーム用のモバイルデバイスを選択している人々がますます増えていることを実感しています。
  • ブラックジャックとルーレットの最高のバリエーションの1つとテーブルを選択して、実際の人と遊び始めることができます。
  • 弊社はポーカーのほぼすべてのバリエーションをサポートしており、それぞれで異なる体験を提供します。
  • さらに、新規会員の方には、最大10万円のウェルカムボーナスをご用意しておりますので、すぐにご利用いただけます。

このライセンスは信頼できる規制機関により発行されたものに限ります。 有効なインターネット接続と最新のブラウザがあれば、どのデバイスからでもゲームやその他のサービスにアクセスすることができます。 インスタゲームカテゴリは非常に簡単にプレイでき、従来のカジノ体験を超えることができます。 会員の皆様には、常に新しいキャンペーンを実施しておりますので、ニュース欄をご覧になることをお勧めしま。

Vulkan Vegas Also ich zahle öfters bei vulkan Vegas…

「オンラインヘルプ」からアクセスすると、プレイヤーの皆さまから頂いた、よくある質問を確認することができます。 これを読んでも解決しない場合は、いつでもカスタマーサポートチームにご連絡ください。 年中無休 24 時間体制でお客様をサポートしているので、安心してご連絡いただけます。 人気のテーブルゲームのすべてを、実際のディーラーと対戦することができます。 ブラックジャックとルーレットの多くのバリエーション（およびクラシックバージョン）を実際の人とリアルタイムで対戦することができます。

  • バルカンベガスでは、最初の入金をした瞬間から優位に立つことができ、会員に最高のオンラインカジノボーナスを提供しています。
  • 我々はすでに賭け業界における世界有数のブランドの一つであり、弊社のオンラインカジノのセクションで同じことを目指しています。
  • プレイヤーのコメントを参照することで、次にあなたがプレイする参考になります。
  • テーブルを歩き回ってゲームを選び、ディーラーとの対戦を始めるわけですね。

ただしこの場合は、最大30営業日かかることに注意してください。 オンラインルーレットでは、基本的なものからエキゾチックなものまで、すべての種類のルーレットで運試しができます。 ヨーロッパ、アメリカ、フランスのルーレットを楽むことができると思います。 我々はすでに賭け業界における世界有数のブランドの一つであり、弊社のオンラインカジノのセクションで同じことを目指しています。 IGaming業界では、10年近くのスポーツベッティングの経験があり、世界で最高のベッティングプラットフォームの1つとして認められています。 https://konibetja.com

サイトメニュー

はい、日本でも合法であり、Vulkan Vegas（バルカンベガス）はキュラソー政府のライセンスを取得しているので、合法オンラインカジノとして運営していま。 一般的に信頼性の高いとされている支払いシステムには、クレジット カード、デビット カード、電子マネー、銀行振込、バウチャーなどがあるので、確認しておきましょう。 高レベルのセキュリティを備えたオンラインカジノは、検証済みのソフトウェアプロバイダーからのゲームのみを提供しているので、必ずご確認ください。 安全なオンラインギャンブルで重要視される指標は、有効なライセンスです。

  • どの問合せの方法を選択しても、最高のサポートを受けることができます。
  • バルカンベガスの携帯カジノゲームをプレイするためには、他に何も必要ありません。
  • 当社のオンラインカジノゲームの公平性は、eCOGRAによって確認されています。

リアルマネーでもデモでも内容は全く同じなので、デモである程度勝てる確信がもてるようになってから、リアルマネーでカジノゲームを体験してみましょう。 日本のプレイヤーのみなさんはオンラインカジノが違法なのか気になるところですが、違法ではありません。 しかし、現状グレーゾーンと言ってもいいですなぜなら、現在日本には、オンラインカジノに対して明確に定められた法律は存在しないからです。

バルカンベガスオンラインカジノ

バルカンベガスでは、最初の入金をした瞬間から優位に立つことができ、会員に最高のオンラインカジノボーナスを提供しています。 弊社にとって最も重要なことは、会員が楽しい時間を過ごすことです。 当社は、会員の皆様ができるだけ迅速かつスムーズに入出金取引を完了できるよう、多くの支払方法をサポートしています。 国ごとに異なる支払い方法が一般的であり、すべてのプレーヤーが最も簡単な方法を使用できるように設定します。 そのため、クレジットカードやデビットカード、電子財布、銀行振り込みなど、多くの銀行手段に対応しています。 また、入出金の際にお好みの方法をご利用いただけますので、取引のたびに異なる方法を切り替える必要がありません。

自宅にいながらにして、本格的なカジノ体験をすることができます。 すべてのメールに数時間以内に返信し、お客様の問題を即日解決するためにできる限りの努力をします。 また、ライブチャットや電話でサポートチームに連絡することもできます。 どの問合せの方法を選択しても、最高のサポートを受けることができます。 つまり、オンラインカジノのゲームをリアルタイムでプレイできるだけでなく、交流の機会も得られるのです。

Vulkan Vegas Erfahrungen 2023– Betrug oder seriös & sicher?

ブラックジャックとルーレットの最高のバリエーションの1つとテーブルを選択して、実際の人と遊び始めることができます。 また、テーブルメイトやディーラーとライブチャットをすることもできます。 バルカンベガスの携帯カジノゲームをプレイするためには、他に何も必要ありません。

バルカンベガスでは、すべての会員が自宅にいながらにして、実在するカジノを訪れる機会を提供します。 ランドベースのカジノでできることはすべて、バルカンベガスのライブカジノでもできます。 数十種類のゲーム、実際のプレイヤーやディーラーとの対戦など、家にいながらにして本格的なオンラインカジノ体験を楽しむことができます。 バルカンベガスのライブゲームでは、どこにいても楽しみながら賞金を得ることができます。

ルーレット

ゲーム用のモバイルデバイスを選択している人々がますます増えていることを実感しています。 携帯プラットフォームはiGaming業界では不可欠な要素であり、各オンラインカジノはそれに合わせてサービスを調整する必要があります。 そのため、バルカンベガスカジノの携帯版は、すべてのプラットフォームやデバイスでスムーズに動作するように設計されています。 さらに、オンライン携帯カジノでは、新たにアカウントを作成する必要はありません。 当社のオンラインカジノゲームの公平性は、eCOGRAによって確認されています。 会員の皆様は、最高の開発者による人気の高い最新のゲームをプレイすることができます。 https://konibetja.com/withdrawals/

皆さんが慣れ親しんだオンラインカジノゲームが、実在の人々と実在の人々と対戦できるようになりました。 しかも、この体験は、携帯でも、どのデバイスでも手に入れることができます。 運だけでなく、スキルも必要とされるこれらのゲームは、昔ながらのカジノ体験と高い収益性を兼ね備えています。 バカラ、ブラックジャック、クラップス、その他多くのテーブルゲームをいつでもプレイできます。 そのため、会員の皆様には、質の高いゲームと、1,000以上のタイトルのコレクションにアクセスする機会を提供しています。

Vulkan Vegas ist ein sehr gutes online…

そのため、バルカンベガス経由でカジノゲームにもアクセスできることが重要です。 ポーカーは最も人気のあるテーブルゲームの1つであって、かつ別のカテゴリに値します。 弊社はポーカーのほぼすべてのバリエーションをサポートしており、それぞれで異なる体験を提供します。 スタッドポーカー、テキサスホールデム、カリビアンなど、様々な種類のポーカーをプレイすることができます。 そのためには、一定の品質と種類を達成する必要があり、重要かつ慎重に選択しなければなりません。 弊社のカジノスロットカテゴリには、この理由でトップ開発者からの最も人気のあるゲームが含まれています。

  • 当社のゲームおよびその他のサービスは、最新のブラウザで実行するように設計されています。
  • 国ごとに異なる支払い方法が一般的であり、すべてのプレーヤーが最も簡単な方法を使用できるように設定します。
  • 日本のプレイヤーのみなさんはオンラインカジノが違法なのか気になるところですが、違法ではありません。
  • 運だけでなく、スキルも必要とされるこれらのゲームは、昔ながらのカジノ体験と高い収益性を兼ね備えています。

プロのカスタマーサービスがオンラインカジノサイトを特別なものにする最も重要です。 そのため、当サイトでオンラインカジノゲームをプレイするベッターは、最高のサポートを受けることができるのです。 専任のお客様担当者が24時間年中無休で対応していますので、安心してご利用いただけます。 プロフェッショナルで親切なカスタマーサポートマネージャーは特別に訓練されており、最高の体験を提供するために何をすべきかを知っています。 お客様がどのようなゲームをお楽しみになるかに関わらず、弊社はお客様に最適な選択肢をご用意しています。 さらに、新規会員の方には、最大10万円のウェルカムボーナスをご用意しておりますので、すぐにご利用いただけます。

バルカンベガスカジノゲーム

最高のカジノボーナスは、お客様が常に優位に立てるようにするもので、現代のオンラインカジノ体験には欠かせないものです。 バルカンベガスカジノの提供は、この原則に従って作成されています。 当社が新規会員に提供するカジノオンラインボーナスは、お客様のオンラインカジノキャリアを後押しします。 しかし、我々は会員の皆様に包括的なオンラインカジノ体験を提供したいと考えています。

つまり、アプリを使わなくても、携帯で遊ぶことができるのです。 携帯電話のブラウザからバルカンベガスのサイトを立ち上げればよいのです。 デスクトップPCと同じように、弊社のサービスを継続して利用することができます。

テーブルゲーム

安全なオンラインギャンブルでは、18 歳未満のプレイヤーはアカウントを作成できません。 こういった規制がないサイトは、少し信頼性に欠けるので注意が必要です。 さらに、信頼性があるプロバイダーと契約しているので、安心してギャンブルを楽しめます。 そのため、他のオンラインカジノサイトに比べてはるかに短い時間で問題を検出し、何をすべきかを判断し、解決策を実行します。 弊社の目標は、あらゆる問題を解決する事と、迅速で満足のいくサービスを提供することです。 テーブルを歩き回ってゲームを選び、ディーラーとの対戦を始めるわけですね。

  • そのため、会員の皆様には、質の高いゲームと、1,000以上のタイトルのコレクションにアクセスする機会を提供しています。
  • プロのカスタマーサービスがオンラインカジノサイトを特別なものにする最も重要です。
  • ブラックジャックとルーレットの多くのバリエーション（およびクラシックバージョン）を実際の人とリアルタイムで対戦することができます。
  • インスタゲームカテゴリは非常に簡単にプレイでき、従来のカジノ体験を超えることができます。

つまり、どのようなゲームを楽しむにしても、多くの選択肢があることは間違いありません。 弊社のゲームは一流の開発者によって提供されており、それぞれが一定レベルの品質を上回っています。 どのiGamingサイトでもカジノボーナスを見つけることができますが、公正で本当に役に立つボーナスは非常に稀です。

バルカンベガスカジノは、カジノゲーマーにとって一番の選択肢です

また、個性的なリンクをクリックしたり、それとも、コードを使用することで、入金せずに利用できるボーナスもあります。 プレイヤーのコメントを参考に、次に自分がプレイするかどうかを決めることができます。 プレイヤーのコメントを参照することで、次にあなたがプレイする参考になります。 バルカンベガスのウェルカムボーナスでは、最大で10万円と125回のフリースピンを獲得することができます。 当社はキュラソー政府によって発行されたライセンスの下で運営されており、法的サービスを提供しています。 バルカンベガスのオンラインカジノセクションを開設したとき、我々は自分自身にこの質問をしました。

  • 高レベルのセキュリティを備えたオンラインカジノは、検証済みのソフトウェアプロバイダーからのゲームのみを提供しているので、必ずご確認ください。
  • そのため、他のオンラインカジノサイトに比べてはるかに短い時間で問題を検出し、何をすべきかを判断し、解決策を実行します。
  • はい、当社のモバイル カジノ アプリは iGaming ビジネスで最高のプラットフォームの 1 つになっております。
  • さらに、オンライン携帯カジノでは、新たにアカウントを作成する必要はありません。
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